Green’s Dictionary of Slang

a nickname for F.W. Woolworth’s (1852–1919) department stores; also attrib., suggesting cheapness.

1944		H.C. Brewster King’s Cross Calling in DSUE (1984).
1959		A. Sinclair My Friend Judas (1963) 112: Odeons. Woolies. Marks and Sparkses. ABC cafés.
1963		C. Wood ‘Prisoner and Escort’ in Cockade (1965) I iii: Rough old thing – where d’you whip it – Woolies?
1975		A. Bleasdale Scully 20: Does this bus go t’Woolies in Town?
1986		F. Taylor Auf Wiedersehen Pet Two 293: I had to borrow twenty-five quid off me best mate half an hour before the kick-off to buy a ring at Woolie’s.
1996		J. Byrell Lairs, Urgers & Coat-Tuggers 197: [A] yearling pacer had just been offered to him for a Woolies price.
1998		A. Warner Sopranos 54: Kylah had [...] all of the Cocteau’s CDs, (ordered from the counter at Woolies).
2004		(con. 1990s) N. ‘Razor’ Smith A Few Kind Words and a Loaded Gun 445: Probably some kid nicking the pick ’n’ mix in Woolies.
2008		Metro (London) 20 Nov. 23: Woolies up for sale for just £1 [...] In September, Woolies announced [...] losses of £91 million.
2010		Mail and Guardian (Johannesburg) 30 Apr. 🌐 The response from Woolies was ‘Click on this link, it’s in the food dictionary.’ Fine, but would Woolworths be able to read that list [...] out loud?
2015		Mail & Guardian (Johannesburg) 25 Sept. 🌐 Relationship with Pharrel apolitical, says Woolies.
2015		N. Cummins Tales of the Honey Badger [ebook] This person arrived at my window asking where Woolies was.